Isolation of Escherichia coli to detect faecal contamination of infants and their mothers in West Bengal.
The present study was undertaken to gain insight into the sources of faecal contamination of infants in rural Bengal. It was carried out in three villages near Calcutta, India, from June 1993 to August 1995 among 148 infants and their mothers. Escherichia coli was used as an indicator of faecal pollution. A total of 725 samples, including hand rinsings of children and mothers, feeding utensils and leftover food were examined. The total isolation rate of faecal E. coli was 30%. The isolation rates from hands of children and mothers were 17% and 40% respectively. The germs from 30% of utensils and 59% of leftover food and drinks were recovered further. The study highlights the precarious hygiene in rural Bengal.
Dutta
S
S
Department of Microbiology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Beliaghata, Calcutta, India.
Mondal
S K
SK
Saha
M R
MR
Sengupta
P G
PG
Gupta
D N
DN
Ghosh
S
S
Sircar
B K
BK
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population